Bergen County and NJ Transit are studying ways to improve bus service.File Photo

BERGEN COUNTY — County and NJ Transit officials are exploring the possibility of setting up a swifter bus system in New Jersey's most densely populated county. Known as "bus rapid transit" (BRT), the system is regarded for being faster and more flexible than traditional bus service.

The proposal has caught the attention of advocates at the Tri-State Transportation Campaign, where Janna Chernetz writes that BRT has helped ease congestion elsewhere.

"BRT has shown to work in similar contexts and the benefits are well established: more flexible operating pattern, more frequent service than normal bus transit, faster travel times, traffic signal priority, pay-before-you-board technology, and the ability to jumpstart economic development along its routes," Chernetz wrote. Would you take the bus more often in B…

BRT applies qualities of subway and rail service to the bus system to speed up its routes, using stations, dedicated bus lanes and faster vehicles. Similar systems are already in place in Newark and New York City.

NJ Transit says changes are needed for the public transportation system in Bergen. Bus and rail lines are set up to feed commuters into New York City, but more people are living and working within the county itself. According to their study, over 60 percent of Bergen County residents now work within the county, with only 18 percent commuting to the city.

NJ Transit and the county have set up a website with information regarding the BRT proposal, and a survey to gauge how commuters would use the service.